New Health Minister Simon Harris looks set to meet with both sides in the National Maternity Hospital row to resolve the dispute over its location.

Representatives from both St Vincent's and the NMH have indicated that they are willing to meet with the new minister to discuss the stalled €150 million move from Holles Street.

A planning application for the new maternity hospital in Elm Park has yet to be submitted as both sides argue over who will run the hospital.

Minister Harris told East Coast FM today: “We need a NMH. The people of Ireland, and expectant mothers and their families, want hospitals built and do not want it bogged down in any row over ethos or governance."

Former Health boss Leo Varadkar had warned both hospitals that if the dispute over the governance of the new maternity hospital is not resolved, an alternative location will have to be found.

Mr Varadkar said: "If the project at Elm Park is not to proceed, the funding set aside in the Government's Capital Plan 2016-2021, including the replacement and enhancement works for SVUH, will be redirected elsewhere.

"Ultimately, the collapse or failure of this project would pose significant patient safety risks."

Almost €5 million of taxpayers' money is in danger of being written off if the relocation row is not resolved.

St Vincent's is adamant that they must take over the governance of the facility when it moves to its site, which has been rejected by the board of the NMH.

The board claims that giving St Vincent's control of the new hospital could prevent the hospital providing IVF, sterilisation and other services because of its Catholic ethos.

Mr Varadkar sided with the NMH, and said co-location where the new facility would maintain its independence was the preference of the outgoing government.